Raritan River Railroad Station – An Update and Community Engagement

Raritan River Railroad Station – An Update and Community Engagement

In our endeavor to preserve the Raritan River Railroad Station, significant efforts have been made to create a comprehensive report. This document, developed over time, reflects our commitment to transparency and inclusivity, ensuring all stakeholders, including the public, are well-informed about the project’s progress. The crafting of this report was a challenging but vital task, spearheaded by the Milltown Historic Preservation Committee. Its purpose extends beyond mere documentation; it aims to foster and cultivate relationships between relevant municipal governments and various historical society groups​​.

A Glimpse into the Current Scenario and Future Plans

As highlighted in our report, the Raritan River Railroad Station’s relocation and refurbishment are crucial to preserving a key piece of our community’s history. The report details the station’s current condition, the intricacies of its relocation, and the urgent need for action given the April 2024 deadline​​.

The Importance of Community Involvement

The Raritan River Railroad Station is a significant testament to Milltown’s history and the broader Middlesex County. Its preservation is essential for maintaining a tangible link to our shared past​​. The station’s story and future hinge on our collective efforts and community support.

Upcoming Events and Fundraising Initiatives

We invite the community to join two key fundraising events:

  1. Holiday Concert & Festival: On December 9th, 2023, at St. Pauls United Church Hall, West Lakewood Ave., Milltown, NJ. The event features a Silent Auction, a performance by The Central New Jersey Wind Ensemble, and Santa’s arrival. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and varying rates for children and teenagers​​​​​​.
  2. Holiday Train Display: Scheduled for December 9th and 10th, 2023, at the Milltown Senior Center, 60 Violet Terrace, Milltown, NJ. This event includes model train layouts, photo opportunities with Santa, and is priced at $7 for adults, $3 for children, $5 for seniors and vets, and $20 for families of 5+​​​​.

Your participation in these events is a valuable contribution to preserving the Raritan River Railroad Station. Together, we can ensure this historic landmark remains a symbol of our heritage and community spirit for generations to come.

Events


This Day in History: September 29th, 1914

This Day in History: September 29th, 1914

BURGLARS ENTER R. R. R. R. STATION; GET SMALL LOOT


MILLTOWN, Sept. 29 – The first burglary that Milltown has heard of in a long time took place sometime last night, probably while all Michelinites were in Brunswick celebrating the winning of the second pennant in the New Brunswick Factory League.

It was at the railroad station of the Raritan River Railroad on Washington Ave. where the robbery occurred. From what could be learned this morning, the extent of the theft is a sweater owned by Winfield Fine of Milltown, an employee.

The safe, which reportedly had not been locked, was open. All papers, books, etc., were strewn about the floor. No money could be found as it had been safeguarded by the agent in another way. Thus, the robbers were evidently disappointed. Everything was topsy-turvy: chairs, filing cabinets, desks, and other movable items were out of place. Papers and other valuables from the safe were scattered on the floor. Entrance was made by breaking the lock on one of the windows, and the exit was evidently made the same way, as there was no other evidence remaining.

As of now, no clue has been found.


Miss Van Arsdale’s Party

A delightful party was held at the home of Miss Augusta Van Arsdale of South Main Street last Saturday night. Piano selections were rendered by Misses Anna K. Hoelzer of Milltown and Miss Alice Ayres of New Brunswick, and singing was also enjoyed. Various games were played during the evening, and a delicious collation was served before the guests departed.

The guests were:
From Milltown: Misses Augusta Van Arsdale, Gertrude Schildt, Anna K. Hoelzer, Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees Van Arsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Thompson and daughter Margaret.
From New Brunswick: Misses A. Gourley, Alice Ayres, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Van Arsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Van Hise, Messrs. James Gourley, George Gourley, Harold Hyle, Eddie Torney, Willard Thompson.


Exciting Runaway
A horse owned by W. Kubitz, a grocer of this place, and driven by Harry Moor, was frightened yesterday afternoon by the whistle of a train at the Raritan River Railroad depot. It raced down Washington Avenue at a terrific pace. As the horse neared the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue, a trolley car was blocking the crossing. The horse kept its pace and was heading straight for the car when a heroic motorman leapt from the car, grabbed the horse by the head, and steered it in front of the car and over the tracks in front of the car barns. The horse was halted by the motorman, who held onto it until the driver caught up.


W. C. T. U. Meeting

The regular full session of the W. C. T. U. is being held in the Methodist Church here today. The State president of the W. C. T. U. will deliver an address this afternoon at two o’clock and again at 7:20 this evening. Next Monday night, at the Rescue Council, there will be delegations present from Elizabeth, Plainfield, and New Brunswick. All members are requested to be present. The State Councilor, Howard S. DeHart, will be there and will likely have something to say in the interest of the order.


Borough Council Meeting

An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council will be held at Borough Hall this evening.


Personals

Arthur Beecher has resigned from his position with C. W. Kuhlthau and has accepted a position with Hermann’s bakery, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Fred Young.

Mrs. Chris Jensen and Mrs. Chas. Denbard visited New York City over the weekend.

Postmaster J. V. L. Booraem is confined to his home with a severe cold.


Michelin Band Picnic Tomorrow

Tomorrow night at Parsons’ Grove, the Michelin Band will hold their first annual picnic, to which all are invited. Michelin will provide their own music. Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Wyckoff of Brooklyn were guests at the home of Mrs. Stelle on Sunday.


This Day in History: August 17th, 1908

This Day in History: August 17th, 1908

MILLTOWN MAN FELL FROM R. R. TRESTLE

MILLTOWN, Aug. 17 – Martin Shuler, an employee of the Raritan River Railroad Company, fell off the trestle of that railroad here while mending it Sunday morning. He fell about twenty-five feet, crushing his hand and breaking his wrist in three places. Mr. Shuler was taken to the office of Dr. N. S. Torney, who set the broken bones.


This Day in History: July 30th, 1923

This Day in History: July 30th, 1923

RARITAN RIVER RAILROAD READY TO RUN EXTRA TRAINS TO HELP IN STRIKE EMERGENCY

CONFERENCE HELD TODAY BY MICHELIN OFFICIALS; AUTHORITIES HERE BUSY

Commissioner Connolly and Jitneurs to Map Bus Routes This Evening-Traffic Situation Gives Concern.

Officials of the Raritan River Railroad Company stated this morning that they would be glad to do what they could to accommodate public in the case of a trolley strike, which now seems a practical certainty beginning at 4 a. m. Wednesday. Bus service is expected to be sufficient to handle traffic between New Brunswick and most areas in the county, with the probable exception of Milltown. The Michelin Tire Company employees in New Brunswick number about 800, the great majority of whom make the trip by trolley car.

In addition to the Michelin workers who live here there are employees of other plants who commute between the two towns. The fact that the road from Berdine’s Corner into Milltown is torn up makes the establishment of satisfactory bus service difficulty. Buses have to detour by back roads, which requires a trip of about half an hour instead of half that time in which it could be made if the regular road was open.

The addition of a few trains to and from Milltown and adequate. bus service to the Raritan River Railroad Station here would doubtless take care of the traffic in satisfactory fashion. Superintendent T. Filskov of the Raritan River stated at South Amboy this morning that there had been no request for additional service but that the railroad could provide it if needed. There is practically no traffic between New Brunswick and Milltown over the railroad ordinarily. Trains leave here at 7:40 and 11:15 a. m. and at 3.41 and 5:20 p. m. daylight time. Trains leave Milltown for New Brunswick at 7:20 and 9:48 a. m. and 3:10 and 5:04 p. m.

A conference was held at the Michelin offices this afternoon to consider the transportation problem. Superintendent H. R. Meyers is giving she matter close attention, and expects to take up with the Raritan River the establishment of additional train service. “The greatest difficulty anticipated is with the shift which comes on duty at 11:30 p. m..” he said. “Three is no train from, South Amboy or from New Brunswick to bring the men here. There are trains in from South Amboy at 7:14 a. m. and 3:14 p. m., which provide very satisfactory service from that direction. There are trains out to South Amboy at 7:45 a. m. and 3:45 and 5:29 p. m., which suit our shifts finely.” Mr. Meyers said that trains to New Brunswick about 7.45 am and 5.30 pm, for the accommodation of the factory employees and trains which would get the office employees numbering 200, to the plant by 8 a. m. and away shortly after 5 p. m. are what are needed. with bus service to and from the station in New Brunswick, Bus service between New Brunswick and Milltown will be established despite the torn-up condition of the road.

Strike Vote Here

At the same hour that the 253 local trolleymen of the Public Service Railway Company vote on the question of a strike at a meeting in the Union Labor Headquarters on George street this evening. Commissioner Frank A. Connolly and the Jitney officers and inspectors will meet at the City Hall to map & schedule for the accommodation of the riding public. The meeting of the local trolleymen tonight will take place at 8 o’clock at the Central Labor Headquarters and it is expected that the large majority of the 153 trolleymen will participate in the balloting. The crews working at the time of the balloting will be permitted to vote at the car barns early tomorrow morning, at the end of their runs The Public Service officials have announced that if the men strike. no attempt will be made to move able trolleys on Wednesday morning. The riding public will be forced to rely entirely on the jitneys and private conveyances and suburban residents are bound to be affected by the cessation of traffic. The loss to the merchants of New Brunswick will be serious as the Jitneys can scarcely handle the traffic. The main lines of course will be well served but other lines will be seriously affected. Commissioner Connolly T E conference this morning with the Jitneurs when the matter of transportation was discussed. The bus line to South Amboy will be operated on a fifteen-minute schedule The Perth Amboy line will also be served with a fifteen minute headway.

Distribution of Bases

The residents of Lindenau will be served by one or two bases under a half-hour schedule. The residents of Highland Park will have a six-minute headway with the buses operating between Sath avenue and Codwine avenue. If the strike becomes effective on Wednesday, five buses will be placed on the Highland Park line. In addition to the buses operating on Codwise avenue, three bases will operate on Livingston avenue at a six-minute headway. Commissioner Connolly has run up against a “tone wall” in procuring buses to operate between New Brunswick and Bound Brook. and New Brunswick and Milltown. There are no bus lines operating between these communities and the deplorable condition of the road makes it almost impossible to persuade any of the bus operators to attempt to operate on either of these lines. During the strike, buses operating on Easton avenue and Remsen avenue will alternate and it is arranged that instead of three buses running on this line, two buses will operate on the Easton avenue- Remsen avenue line and two between Easton avenue and Throop avenue Under the plans devised by Commissioner Connolly at least fifty buses will be in operation on Wednesday if the strike is declared. The regular licensed buses operating in New Brunswick number thirty-two and through the efforts of Mr. Connolly, eighteen additional buses have been procured.


This Day in History: June 28th, 1916

This Day in History: June 28th, 1916

MILLTOWN TO HAVE NEW RARITAN RIVER R. R. DEPOT

MILLTOWN, June 28-Preparations are being made for the erection of a new Raritan River Railroad station near as the present one is far from being adequate since so many of the employees of the Michelin Tire Company, the Russell Playing Card Company and powder works employees make use of this line to get back and forth to their work.

It is proposed to build an up-to-date station in every respect in order that there will be sufficient room for an office as well as a waiting room.

The present structure will be torn down and while the work is being done the office force will make themselves comfortable in a baggage car which has been provided for the convenience and equipped for an office.


THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 – R.K. Munkittrick – The Iron Reindeer

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 – R.K. Munkittrick – The Iron Reindeer


 I’M up to date, and, be it said,

I certainly this year

Shall break and burn the ancient

sled

And cook the ancient deer.

Those things are out of date for me;

They’re now a shattered dream.

Oh, I’m as happy as can be

 About my brand new scheme.

FULL soon across the boundless

plain,

Beneath the Christmas stars,

I’m going to travel on my train

Made up of baggage cars,

And they’ll be simply stuffed with

toys

And other precious things

For little girls and little boys

For whom I spread my wings.

OH, yes, in jigtime, down the track

I’ll gayly glide along,

From home across the land and back

To fill all hearts with song.

And to my agent at each town

I’ll toss a bundle great

Each artless child with joy to crown

An’ make its heart elate.

I’LL run along on schedule time,

Through wind swept drifts of

snow.

My bell shall be the Christmas chime

That sets all hearts aglow.

And I shall call, and not in vain,

While stockingward I head

My mile a minute flying train,

“The Christmas Limited.”

THE train’s made up. Already I

Am getting up the steam,

While piling in the cars sky high

The gifts of which you dream.

With joy I stand upon my head

And shout both far and near,

“Goodby unto the ancient sled-

 All hail the iron deer!”

-R. K. Munkittrick in Success.